White 950-959 - Manual (Page 4)

4
SECTION 4: IMPORTANT SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
Warning: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT
FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF
AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO OPERATE YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY
RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, HEED ITS WARNING.
Danger: Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in
this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the
operator can result in serious injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet
and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious
injury or death.
1. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read this owner’s guide carefully in its entirety before
attempting to assemble this machine. Read,
understand, and follow all instructions on the machine
and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely
familiar with the controls and the proper use of this
machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a
safe place for future and regular reference and for
ordering replacement parts.
• Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power
equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise
extreme caution at all times. Your unit has been
designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
use it for any other purpose.
• Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a
power mower. Children 14 years old and over should
only operate mower under close parental supervision.
Only responsible individuals who are familiar with
these rules of safe operation should be allowed to
use your mower.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons,
particularly small children and pets. Stop engine
when they are in the vicinity of your mower to help
prevent blade contact or thrown object injury.
Although the area of operation should be completely
cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been
overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the
mower in any direction and cause serious personal
injury to the operator or any others allowed in the
area.
• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is
to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones,
toys and other foreign objects which could be picked
up and thrown by the mower in any direction and
cause serious personal injury to the operator or any
others allowed in the area. Plan your mowing pattern
to avoid discharge of material toward roads,
sidewalks, bystanders and the like. To help avoid a
thrown objects injury, keep children, bystanders and
helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in
operation.
• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during
operation or while performing an adjustment or repair,
to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be
thrown from the machine in any direction.
• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting
slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the
arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are
recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or
jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never
operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light
weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts.
Keep clear of discharge opening at all times as the
rotating blade can cause injury.
• Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being
pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on to
the mower if you are falling; release the handle
immediately.
• Never pull the mower toward you while you are
walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall
or obstruction first look down and behind, and then
follow these steps:
• Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
• Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
• Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way
toward you.
• Repeat these steps as needed.
• Do not operate the mower while under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on units
so equipped while starting engine.
• The blade control handle is a safety device. Never
attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the
safety device inoperative and may result in personal
injury through contact with the rotating blade. The
blade control handle must operate easily in both
directions and automatically return to the disengaged
position when released.
• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be
sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious
personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the handle and
walk, never run. If you feel you are losing your